Tube-clamp for oil-wells



(No Model.)

J. HOLLY.

TUBE CLAMP FOR OIL WELLS.

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m MW

N, PETERS. mmum n w, Wanh ngion. n. c.

- UNITED STATES PATENT .OFFICSEQ JOHN HOLLY, on ROUSEVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA.

TUBE-CLAMP FOR OIL-WELLS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 348,907, dated September '7, 1886.

Application filed June 18, 1886. Serial No. 205,555. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, JOHN HOLLY, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Rouseville, in the county of Venango and State ofPennsylvania,haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Tube-Clamps for Oil- \Vclls,of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to lheaccompanying drawings.

My invention relates to an improvement in attachments for oil-wells,and has for its objects to provide means for automatically preventing the tubing used for extracting the oil from the well from the slipping and dropping into the well while being coupled or drawn out, incident to the methods ordinarily in use, and to provide means whereby this may be effected automatically with varying sizes of pipe. I accomplish these objects by means of the at tachment illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is aplan view of the attachment in working order. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same with the cover removed. Fig. 3 is alongitudinal section of the attachment as shown in Fig. 1.

My attachment consists of a circular iron casing, A, which has a perforation in the bottom for the passage of the tubing leading into the well. In this casing are hollow iron boxes B B, segmental in shape and rigidly secured to the bottom of the casin g A,lcavin g a space between them and the casing A, in which is placed a solid iron collar, 0, and spaces between each, parallel with the diameter for the reception of the clutches I). The clutches D are elongated, having a toothed end rounded to fitthe tubing, and curved 011 its longer diameter, and a rear end curved to correspond to the toothed end. Under these clutches are placed the springs E, which are secured to the bottom of the casing A, and spring so as to hold the clutches poised at an angle. To the rear of these clutches and iron boxes 13 I; is the collar 0, moving freely against the casing A, and provided on the inner surface with cams l, corresponding in number to the clutches. These cams are slightly inclined, being larger at the bottom than at the top. Projecting through a slot made in the casing A for that purpose is a bracket, F, carrying the pin G, which projects above the top ofthecasing A. Engaging the top ofthis pin G is a rod, H, which is connected to the spring I. The spring I is circular, extending around the top of the casing A, and is rigidly secured to the top a of the casin A. This top a is held in place by bolts passing down through the boxes B B and the bottom of the casing A, and is flush with the top of the casing A. Upon the bracket F is another pin, K, extending outward and provided with a handle. This pin is engaged by a spring-pawl,L, which is rigidly secured to casin A, and is provided with the foot rest M, extending down near the ground,for convenient maniplb lation by the operator.

The operation of my attachmenton] y occurs when the tubing is either being drawn out of the well or being coupled, or in case of accident. IVhen the tubing is being let down into the well, the operator, by means of the handle on the pin K, draws the collar 0 around and the cams G C out of engagement with the clutches D, and allows them to fall back out of engagement with the tubing,and the tubing to pass. Now, in case of an accident at the paying-out drum or the discovery of a flaw, the operator places his foot upon the foot-rest M and releases the pin K from the pawl L, when the spring I throws the collar 0 around and the cams G into engagement with the clutches I) I), and presses the clutches upon the tubin As the clutches D engage, they roll upon their rounded rear end, and because ofthe incline ofthe cam as they roll over they approach each other and fasten the tighter as the strain is greater. The shock is broken by the springs E E.

I do not confine myself to the exact construction herein set forth.

What I claim is- 1. In an attachment such as described, the combination of a collar provided with cams upon its inner surface, and clutches adapted to be moved back and forth against the tubing and held from lateral movement, substantially as set forth.

2. In an attachment such as described, the combination ofa collar provided with inclined cams upon its inner surfacc,and clutches adapted to be moved back and forth against the tub ing and held from lateral movement, said clutches being provided with rounded ends, bearing against the collar, substantially as set forth.

3. In an attachment such as described, the combination of a collar provided on its inner surface with inclined cams, clutches adapted to be moved back and forth against the tubing and held from lateral movement, the said clutches being provided with rounded ends, substantially as shown, and a spring placed under said clutches and holding said clutches up in the position shown, substantially as set forth.

4. In an attachment such as described, the combination of a collar provided with cams upon its innersurface, clutches adapted to be moved back and forth against the tubing and held from lateral movement, and cases placed between each two of said clutches and forming slots or ways for them to operate in, substantially as set forth.

5. In an attachment such as described, the combination of clutches adapted to be moved back and forth against the tubing and held from lateral movement, a collar encompassing said clutches and provided on its inner surface with cams and on its outer surface with apin, substantially as shown, and a spring secured to a stationary point and to said pin, substair tially as set forth.

6. In an attachment such as described, the combination of clutches adapted to be moved back and forth against the tubing and held from lateral move1nent,a collar encompassing said clutches and provided on its inner surface with carns and on its outer surface with two pins, substantially as shown, a spring secured to a stationary part and to one of said pins,and a spring-pawl fastened to astationary part and engaging the other of the said pins, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN HOLLY.

\Vitnesses:

IV. R. BARR, F. W. Hays. 

